Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte hosted Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar at his residence in Rome on Thursday.

Images published by the government show both men shaking hands and sitting, reportedly to discuss the issues of illegal migration and of the political stabilisation in Libya.

Fighting is still ongoing around the Libyan capital of Tripoli between the LNA and forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord.

The LNA, which controls eastern Libya, is aiming to take over territory from the GNA, including the capital. The country has been split between the two rival sides since 2014. The five weeks of clashes in Tripoli's outskirts led to a stalemate on the ground, causing at least 432 dead and 55,000 displaced, according to the UN.